Roop & Jay - Punjabi Wedding in Chicago

 Jay: "As you already know, Roop has a special place in her heart for good photography. In 2015, we were traveling to Riviera Maya, Mexico to celebrate my birthday. I asked Roop what she thought about doing a photoshoot at the beach while we were there. She was ecstatic to hear the idea and we set up a date and time. During the photoshoot, when the photographer set up a shot that she liked for us, she said the keywords "this is a nice spot for couples". This was my clue to drop down on one knee and present the ring box. Roop's jaw dropped when she saw me do that and she stood there in disbelief with her hands on her face. A seemingly long time passed like this before I had to remind her that I was still waiting for an answer. As soon as she said yes, the crowd burst into applause. A group of tourists had stopped by to watch the scene develop and were congratulating us. It was one of the best moments of our lives!"

 Four days of Sikh wedding celebrations start with a group mehndi at the bride's house.

 Just so we're all on the same page, this is the bride:

 The next day we decide to find a more spacious venue and the Cotillion Banquets in Palatine is a charming location:

 We have a night full of rituals ahead and the rangoli preparation is the best way to start it:

 Roop's cousins and bride's maids are in charge with this part:

 It's a job that requires a lot of focus:

Vatna is a natural skin purifier and it's applied all over the arms and face of the bride to be:

 The main purpose behind the Maiya ceremony is to beautify and it can be done gently:

Or not so gently, if you have cousin-brothers:

 When the spoons show up on the dhol, it's time for the ladies' Sangeet:

 All the women in the family sing and play the dhol:

After Roop takes a quick shower, she comes back for the kalire:

 Enter the Jaago:

 Roop: "Another thing that has a very special place in my heart is the vast blue ocean with white sandy beaches. During our vacation to Riviera Maya, Mexico last year I planned a surprise celebration for Jay's birthday. While I was not expecting Jay to propose to me during this trip, I could not help but think that this would be the perfect spot for him to do so.  I was overjoyed at the idea of doing a photoshoot when Jay mentioned it. During the photoshoot, when the photographer said Jay's secret keyword and handed him the ring box, I thought that the box was perhaps a prop for the pictures. When Jay popped open the box and said: "Will you marry me?" I froze in disbelief! Was this real? Unable to control my happiness I hugged him tight while he was still on his knee until he finally said:" You need to answer the question." I felt like the luckiest girl on this planet and said yes with tears in my eyes and a wide smile on my face. That indeed was one of the best moments of our lives!"

 The next morning, at 6 am, we're on the lakefront for some pictures.

 Since none of us likes to freeze, we move inside the Union Station in downtown Chicago.

 It's good the meet the groom to be, as well.

 In the evening, a short Chunni ceremony takes place at Lal Qila restaurant, in Palatine:

 It took me a while to figure out this jewelry box has a built-in light:

 The couple receives gifts and blessings from their families.

 The wedding day is here and the bride's maids bring her an early morning gift:

 It's a photo album they just made with pictures from the previous days.

 I wish my images were received so well:

 Makeup time:

 Roop blinks a lot in pictures, so we need a solution to keep her eyes open. The scotch tape should do the trick:

 It's bride's turn to give presents to her maids:

 The choora is the last ritual before the wedding:

 In the same morning, Italo, my second shooter, is with the groom:

 Jay and his servala have the most fancy ride to the Palatine gurdwara:

 Another white ride awaits here for the baarat:

 Despite the glorious sun, it's too cold outside so we quickly move inside for the milni:

 There's one more obstacle in the groom's way:

 He has to pay:

 And sign his life away:

 Only after he promises to never complain about his future wife's cooking, Jay is allowed to cut the ribbon:

 The main hall of the gurdwara is flooded with natural light from all corners:

 The first look:

 Immediately followed by the first smile:

 The Anand Karaj commences with an ardaas, a prayer where only the couple and their parents stand up:

 Jasroop is given to her new husband:

 The chaur is constantly waved over the Adi Granth (holy scripture):

 With the dupatta over her face and the Nath in her nose, Roop finds a simple task, like eating the prasad, a little more difficult than usual:

 Italo is wearing a company shirt for his first Punjabi wedding:

 We should go for a short photo shoot after the ceremony, but Jay is missing his shoes:

Turns out he has to pay again if he wants to walk out of here:

 It's a rookie mistake to keep such valuable items behind your back, virtually unguarded:

Specially when you're dealing with Punjabi guys that are six time your size:

 Well, the reception starts at 2 pm, so we make our way to the Meridian Banquet Hall, in Rolling Meadows:

 With his juttis on, and his wife by his side, Jay is excited to step in, under a shower of money:

 The show begins right away:

 And it's pure entertainment.

 This is not what you think it is. Or maybe it is... Depends on what you think it is:

 It seems like money is raining from the sky above during the first dance:

 Or, maybe, it's just the guests showering the couple with fortune:

 And there's certainly more where that comes from:

 I thought I had the toughest job in the world, but this guy takes the cake:

 We still have a doli to attend and the groom is missing, so Meena looks for him everywhere:

 We're back to Roop's house and Jay has gifts for all his wife's relatives:

 He doesn't expect this level of gratitude in return:

 Time for Roop to follow her husband and say goodbye to her family. The rice symbolizes that she leaves her home in prosperity:

 The couple is traditionally welcomed by the groom's mother and all his family:

 Congratulations one more time, Roop and Jay! Thank you so much for inviting me to your amazing wedding in Chicago! Hope to see you again soon!

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Vendors 'n' Things:

Anand Karaj Sikh Wedding Ceremony - Palatine Gurdwara
Reception Venue - Meridian Banquets Rolling Meadows
Ladies' Sangeet Venue - Cotillion Banquets Palatine
Catering - Maharaja Restaurant
Decorations & Flowers - Dream Occasions
Weddin Planner - Sabrina Hans
Makeup & Hair - Rajul Dharamshi
Mehndi - Unnati Shah
Cake - Baking Institute
White Horse - Maharaja Farm
Music - DJ Twinbeatz
Dhol Player - Jaskaran Sangha
Video - Robles Video Productions
Second Shooter - Italo Alegria
Chicago Sikh Wedding Photographer - International Punjabi Marriage Photographer


Yes, I travel. Yes, I'll shoot your wedding anywhere in the world. Let's talk about it: cosmindanilaphoto@gmail.com